Best Activities In Ubud – This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon partners and products. This helps me earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Not only are there countless things to do in Ubud itself, but its central location makes it perfect for more adventures. Must-see places like Mount Batur and Lempuyang Temple are closer to Ubud than Canggu or Uluwatu.
Best Activities In Ubud
People often compare Ubud and Canggu, describing Canguu as more “residential” and Ubud as a place for “tourists”. Yes, it feels touristy and has been for a long time. That’s not a bad thing: it’s a great place for the first two-week itinerary in Bali because you can get everywhere easily.
Things To Do In Ubud Off The Beaten Track
If you don’t want the hard sell of tours and souvenirs in the city center, get out into the countryside and see what island paradise is all about!
Rent a scooter: If you feel safe, renting one is the best way to get around since there is no public transportation and the government restricts apps like Grab and Uber. Book your scooter here.
Take a taxi: If you don’t want to drive a scooter, consider taking a taxi. If you can get a group together, they are cheap. Book a half-day or full-day tour. Get your money’s worth by packing in as many Ubud activities as possible!
Day Trip: I’m a fan of GetYourGuide tours. They offer tours of all the attractions near Ubud as well as fun, cultural tours such as cooking classes and craft activities. They are also a great way to meet other people when traveling alone. You can also compare Viator tours and Airbnb Experiences.
Best Things To Do In Ubud, Bali (2022)
How long is a rope and how long does your itinerary allow for Southeast Asia? You can explore the top things to do in Ubud in two days. For a day trip to Lempuyang and Tirta Gangga temples, add an extra day. Add one for Mount Batur.
I stayed for three weeks and explored my hobby while working online. You need at least that long to go through all the amazing brunches in Ubud!
There is a wide range of accommodation options from budget hostels for backpackers and even better ones for flashpackers, along with luxury resorts and guest houses. It depends on your travel style.
I hate it when blogs tell me to do things at ungodly hours but I know it’s the right thing to do. On my last day in Vietnam, I went to a morning market at 5 am and vowed not to do it again anytime soon. On my second day in town, Wayan offered to take me to the local morning market in Ubud… at 7am!
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Not only was the fruit cheaper then, he told me, but it was a better place to see local life.
Visit before nine o’clock in the morning because after that, the market is full of tourists and sarongs. The fruit is running out and the price is going up! At first, this is a great place to see in Ubud with colorful religious offerings, fresh fruits and local food.
Head inside for some of the cheapest local fares you’ll find. If you can get enough meat and rice before 09:00, of course, it depends on you…
If you are new to Bali, a free and easy thing to do in Ubud is to visit Ubud Palace. It is a great introduction to Balinese architecture with intricate details and expressive gargoyles. You don’t have to spend long here but it’s a good place to start your tour of Ubud.
Best Things To Do In Ubud
Foodie tip – it’s right next door to Milk & Madu, known for its healthy brunches, specialty coffees and amazing pizzas.
My early morning trip to Tirta Empul was probably my favorite experience in Bali. If you only have one day in town, I would recommend starting it early by taking a dip in the holy water baths of this holy place.
Tirta Empul is a temple complex built around a mountain spring that has been visited by locals for centuries. The full-water pool is the main focus and now locals and tourists alike climb in for the experience. The Balinese are busy praying but they welcome visitors, so jump in and join them!
My Airbnb host, Wayan, picked me up at opening time of 7am and we were able to explore and leave before the other tourists arrived. Apparently, at 11 am the pools were completely crashed.
Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces & Monkey Forest Private Tour
There are lockers for your valuables when you are on the water. You must wear a sarong, but if you don’t have one, you can rent one.
Yoga is one of the most popular things to do in Ubud; some would say it wouldn’t be a trip to Bali without a session! The main place to get it all
This is the only yoga studio I have been to but I also like the look of the Yoga House in the northern rice fields. The prices are the same (135,000 IDR/$9 per session) and the place is quieter.
Drive 20 minutes from bustling Ubud and you will be surrounded by greenery. The Tegallalang Rice Terraces are probably the overall most popular thing to do in Ubud and you don’t want to miss them…
Best Things To Do In Ubud (2023)
The entry fee is as little as IDR 15,000 but you have to go through a “donation” station (where you have no choice but to pay for something) lined with overpriced ice cream stands.
Then there are various swings that cost IDR 100,000 per five-minute ride. It’s basically a bit of a tourist trap but cheaper than Bali Swing!
All that said, this is one of the main attractions in Ubud. If you miss the rice terraces, you will always say “no” when people ask you about your time in Bali. We don’t want that, do we? As with all Ubud tour activities, visit early to beat the crowds.
What a complete spread! I love cooking classes so I knew I wanted to do one in Bali. Experience tells me that you get more food if you take a cooking class alone than with a couple or group. Do whatever you want with that information!
Best Things To Do In Ubud
For a fun activity in Ubud, look no further than Siboghana, my favorite local warung. The family that runs it is nice and friendly, and the food is amazing. For Rp. 350,000 to make four dishes from the menu, unless you choose nasi campur which is considered three dishes.
The price includes two drinks and a slice of banana bread which makes it a better price than most of the types in Ubud.
They don’t have an online presence so if you want to book in advance, you can check out cooking classes on GetYourGuide.
Put on trainers and a backpack to spend a few hours on the Campuhan Ridge Walk which in retrospect was unnecessary. You can do the walk in 20 minutes and many people do it in flip flops. Some people will tell you to go to Karsa Cafe before coming back.
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Honestly, after the big part of the ridge in the picture you just walk down a small street with shops and cafes so I think it’s just a marketing ploy.
I would suggest a quick trip to the Campuhan Ridge Walk in the early morning or afternoon when it’s cool. Don’t spend half a day or expect to feel completely off the grid, but this is a fun thing to do in Ubud with great views.
There are many great cafes in Ubud but one of my favorites is Clear Cafe. As I passed a Ganesha statue and through the beautiful circular entrance door, I knew I was on my way.
Not only is the food good, the comfortable pillows and colorful details provide a beautiful chill or work experience.
Bali Atv Ride Quad Adventure Tour (ubud)
How amazing is the view from the top of Mount Batur? To get to this point requires an obnoxiously early awakening (the
Mount Batur is 1.5 hours away but easier to reach than most other places in Bali. Your easiest option is a tour that includes pickup, drop-off, breakfast, and your hiking guides.
Book a classic tour including a Balinese coffee plantation on the way back, a tour including a dip in natural hot springs or, if hiking isn’t your bag, a jeep ride to the top .
On a hot day when I’m tired, Tukie’s is my oasis. I honestly think this is the best coconut ice cream I’ve ever had. It is topped with fresh coconut meat and desiccated coconut chips.
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Lempuyang Temple is an ancient mountain temple best known for the Gates of Heaven overlooking Mount Agung on a clear day.
Leave early if you hope to pose at the Gate of Heaven in Lempuyang. We arrived at 9am to wait 30 minutes in a line that was double the size of when we left! Crazy thing.
We rented a cheap and cheerful scooter and made the trip independently but you can also arrange a taxi ride from Ubud or take a dedicated Lempuyang Temple day tour including two other temples and a buffet lunch.
Visiting Tirta Gangga is one of the best things to do near Ubud. This peaceful water palace is carved
